Richard "Dick" Joseph Pratt

Dick Pratt sailed into the sunset in the early hours of Monday, February 18th, 2013 sleeping near his

wife Jo of 62 years. Born to Emily and John Pratt on July 12, 1928 in Downey Idaho, he grew up a farm boy with two college educated parents who encouraged a love of music that lasted a lifetime.

California living called and he began his life on John Ford's yacht the Araner. He met movie stars and fell in love with sailing and the sea. His most memorable outing was sailing the Araner to celebrate John Wayne's honeymoon. Dick met his wife Jo Christian, "the most beautiful gal", in Catalina. They were married in her mother's home after he was suddenly drafted by the Army to serve in the Korean War.

After discharge he began his lifetime trucking dispatcher career in Bakersfield. He worked for Wattenbarger Lumber where he learned to drive a lumber truck. Oilfield's Trucking Company transferred him temporarily to Stockton during the building of the Los Banos Dam and I-5. He and his wife Jo loved Stockton and decided to stay. Dick worked for AW Hayes Trucking finishing his career as General Manager of Vito Trucking. When drivers called to say they had a flat tire he was heard to say, "Put on the hazards and bring it in slow". His directions always included landmarks that might of gone unnoticed but he knew the islands like the back of his hand.

Jo loved the theatre, introducing Dick to acting in Bakersfield Community Theatre as the handsome Texan in "Send Me No Flowers". He acted with Stockton Civic Theatre, Hunter Square Acting Company and Senior Showcase. Dick's favorite shows were Guys and Dolls, Artichoke and Bus Stop. The Stockton Symphony fulfilled his love of classical music.

Dick loved being a Dad to his children, Diane, Jean, and Jack. He took care of baths and dreaded fingernail cleaning. An avid reader, he read to his children every night. He was a Y-Indian Guides, Cub Scout Leader, served a decade as an umpire with Sundown Little League and chauffeur to countless Jobs Daughters meetings, dress rehearsals, and games. A favorite memory is Dad reading the funnies before work, laughing out-loud to Peanuts and The Far Side. His family loved his sense of humor and one-liners.

After losing most of his sight and hearing he fought to continue to enjoy books and crossword puzzles. Books on tape became a part of his daily life along with the newspaper crossword puzzles accomplished by using an enlarger, often reading the clue one letter at a time. A man of routine, he enjoyed his cocktail hour with a shot of gin and his dog receiving a treat.